The Cool Fireman Podcast

Ever wonder what it's like working for FDNY's Special Operations Command while running a firefighter-owned business with thousands of subscribers?

On Episode 183 of The Cool Fireman Podcast, Matt, Brian, and Adam welcome back one of our biggest supporters, longtime sponsor, and good friend Thomas, the founder of Burn Box and FD Collector's Club!

Thomas joins us for a conversation about his life as a firefighter assigned to FDNY Squad 1, the incredible growth of Burn Box, and the challenges of building a business while still working full-time in the firehouse.

What started...

Learning From Loss: A Firefighter's Legacy & Lessons From a LODD | Episode 182

What happens when a line-of-duty death hits close to home? And more importantly, how do we make sure the lessons learned aren't forgotten?

This week on The Cool Fireman Podcast, Brian, Doug, and Adam welcome special guest Mikey Hillman, a 19-year fire service veteran, to share the story of his close friend and fellow firefighter, Bryce, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty.

This isn't just another discussion about firefighter safety. It's a deeply personal...

Are firefighters promoting too quickly? Does time on the job really determine whether someone is ready to lead?

On Episode 181 of The Cool Fireman Podcast, Matt and Doug welcome back Greg Rudiger as a guest co-host to tackle a topic suggested by Patreon subscriber Jacob Samu: Are fire departments pushing people to promote before they're ready?

With experienced firefighters retiring, departments losing decades of institutional knowledge, and younger members stepping into leadership positions, the fire service is facing some tough questions.

Does a firefighter need 10 or 15 years on the job before...

Who are you when you take off the uniform?

This week on The Cool Fireman Podcast, Adam and Doug take a different approach. Instead of talking tactics, leadership, and firehouse culture, they're diving into something every firefighter eventually has to face: life outside the firehouse.

After more than 20 years in the fire service, the job becomes a huge part of your identity. But what happens when your priorities change? When family becomes more important than overtime? When retirement starts getting closer and you realize there's a whole lot more to life than riding...

“I’m not mad.”
“I’ve got a question.”
“We have enough people.”
“We’ve got a truck available.”

If you've spent any time in the firehouse, you already know those statements can have a whole different meaning depending on which side of the bugles you're standing on.

This week, Brian and Adam introduce the Firehouse Translation Guide.

Brian gives us the chief officer version, while Adam translates it into what the firefighters on the floor are actually hearing. With more than 20 years in...

Why do we love being firefighters?

For all the conversations about staffing, schedules, leadership, cancer prevention, mental health, and everything the fire service could do better, sometimes it's worth remembering why we chose this job in the first place.

Matt, Doug, and Adam sit down for a positive conversation about what still makes the fire service the greatest job in the world. From helping someone on the worst day of their life to the excitement of never knowing what the next call will bring, they talk about the moments that keep them coming back.  Pasted t...

Does the fire service have an ego problem?

Matt, Brian, and Adam get into the difference between confidence and ego and what happens when rank, experience, reputation, and pride start getting in the way of good leadership.

Matt shares a story about reconnecting with a chief who knew him years ago when Matt was a young volunteer—and the first thing the chief did was apologize for how he treated younger firefighters back then. That kicks off a bigger conversation about self-awareness, owning your mistakes, and whether rank changes people or simply multiplies who they al...

Train Clean, Fight Dirty | Ryan Conley of Carna Bunker Gear

Visit: Carna Bunker Gear

https://www.carnabunkergear.com/

This week, we’re joined by Ryan Conley from Carna Bunker Gear for a conversation about firefighter training, cancer prevention, fitness, and why we may need to rethink how often we train in our frontline turnout gear.

Ryan shares how his background as a firefighter, strength athlete, coach, and exercise physiology nerd eventually led to the creation of Carna Bu...

Fire departments across the country are trying to figure out how to recruit the next generation of firefighters—but what if recruitment isn't the biggest problem?

What if we need to get better at keeping the people we already have?

This week, the guys get into recruitment vs. retention and what actually makes firefighters want to stay at—or leave—a department. Is it money? Benefits? Leadership? Morale? Call volume? Training opportunities? Station culture? Or is the schedule becoming one of the biggest deciding factors?

Adam makes a simple point that drives much of the...

If you could design the perfect fire station from scratch, what would it look like?

This week on The Cool Fireman Podcast, Matt, Brian, and Adam are designing their dream firehouse—and quickly realize there’s a lot more to fire station design than apparatus bays and a kitchen table.

Should administrative offices be separated from firefighter living quarters? Should every shift have its own refrigerator? Individual bunk rooms or good old-fashioned gen pop? How many bathrooms does a firehouse actually need? And perhaps the most important question of the episode: Is it acceptable to dest...

If you could go back to the night before your very first day in the fire service and sit down with your younger self… what would you tell them?

Buckle up.

This week, Matt, Doug, and Unkie are going back in time and looking at their careers through the eyes of the firefighters they used to be.

Would we still become firefighters knowing everything we know now? What would our rookie selves think of the firefighters we became? What parts of the old fire service would we bring back? And what habits do we...

What Would You Buy With an Unlimited Fire Department Budget? 🚒💰

The Cool Fireman Podcast is LIVE from Raleigh, North Carolina at the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo (SAFRE)!

For the first time, the guys are all together at the booth, surrounded by fire apparatus, equipment, technology, and just about every possible way a fire department could spend money.

So we asked the obvious question:

If your department handed you an open checkbook, what are you buying?

Matt is looking at a high-tech command vehicle loaded with drone capabilities. Doug wants...

STAND YOUR GROUND: Firehouse Morale, Leadership & Elite Training

This week, Brian brings a new game to the table: Stand Your Ground. We give our answer, defend it, and see where the conversation takes us.

Would you rather be the chief of a department with unlimited funding but terrible morale—or lead a department everyone loves that's constantly short staffed?

Would you rather have the best officer you've ever worked for or the best crew you've ever worked with?

Would you rather work at a fun station with average training or a se...

What started as a discussion about the best firefighter work schedule quickly turned into a deep dive into recruitment, retention, staffing, and the future of the fire service.

Visit:

TheCoolFireman.com

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TheBurnBox.com

Matt, Brian, and Adam compare some of the most common shift schedules, including 48/96, 24/72, 24/48, and other regional variations, while sharing firsthand experiences from their own departments. Matt explains why he's become a huge fan of the 48/96 schedule, Brian discusses Greenville Fire Rescue's transition to a 24/72 schedule, and Adam shares...

Why do so many firefighters criticize the NFPA and IAFF? Is it really about unnecessary regulations, or is there more to the story?

In Episode 169 of The Cool Fireman Podcast, Matt, Brian, and Adam dive into one of the most debated topics in the fire service. Sparked by hundreds of comments on social media, they discuss firefighter safety standards, turnout gear, apparatus requirements, union involvement, and why so many firefighters have strong opinions about the organizations that help shape the profession.

The conversation also explores leadership in the fire service, why chiefs often receive criticism...

What makes someone the firefighter everyone wants to work with?

In this episode, Matt and Doug play "Finish the Sentence" and let the conversation take over. From firehouse culture and leadership to rookie mistakes, truck company operations, cooking at the station, and even dream jobs outside the fire service, this episode is packed with laughs and real conversations from two firefighters who have lived it.

Along the way, they also discuss:

- Why adaptability is one of the most important firefighter traits.

- The quickest ways to lose...

Is it equipment? Training? EMS supplies? Something else entirely?

In this episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast, Matt and Brian tackle a topic every firefighter has an opinion on: where does the fire service waste the most money—and where should we actually be investing it? From bottled water and disposable supplies to expired medications, conference budgets, uniforms, and station culture, they dive into the difficult balance between stewardship and providing firefighters with the tools they need to succeed.

The conversation goes beyond dollars and cents. Brian shares why transparency with crews matters when discussing bu...

What should firefighters do when they're off duty?

This week, the guys tackle a listener question from Squawk, a brand-new firefighter getting ready to start his career. They discuss why every firefighter needs hobbies outside the fire service, how to balance them with family life, and which hobbies can actually become unhealthy.

The conversation covers everything from golf, fishing, smoking meat, lawn care, softball, Disney trips, and camping... to why your hobby should never become more important than your spouse or kids.

The crew also announces the July Patreon Perks winner, talks about...

This week on The Cool Fireman Podcast, the crew tackles one of the biggest challenges firefighters face—and it has nothing to do with fighting fires.

What starts as a listener question about rank and responsibility quickly turns into a powerful conversation about leadership, sacrifice, family, and the pressure that comes with serving others. From firefighters on the engine to chief officers answering calls long after they leave the station, the discussion explores how every rank carries a different kind of responsibility.

One of the most impactful moments comes when Matt says:

"The ha...

This week on The Cool Fireman Podcast, Matt, Brian, and Adam tackle one of the most controversial topics in the fire service:

🚒 When does sharing become oversharing?

The conversation dives into firefighter social media use, taking photos at incidents, off-duty conduct, and whether firefighters should be held accountable for what they post online. What starts as a discussion about a recent fire service controversy turns into a deeper conversation about professionalism, public trust, and representing the badge both on and off duty.

🚒 Would You Rather: White Shirt Edition Returns! 🚒

The boys are back with another round of firefighter debates, hot takes, and leadership conversations that hit a little deeper than usual.

This episode starts with some housekeeping, sponsor updates, Patreon shoutouts, and a heartfelt tribute to fallen firefighter Chief Harold Osborne before diving headfirst into a series of thought-provoking "True or False" discussions.

Topics include:

🔥 Are the best firefighters usually the quietest?
🔥 Is your reputation built more in the station or on the fireground?
🔥 Do firefighters eventually become the people they once complained...

Hot Take Meter: Are We Setting the Internet on Fire?

This week, the entire crew is back together—Matt, Doug, Brian, and Unkie—for a brand-new game called Hot Take Meter. Every statement gets ranked as a Cold Take, Warm Take, Hot Take, or Nuclear Take, and the guys aren't holding back.

From rookie cell phone policies and firehouse traditions to chiefs riding rigs and the ever-controversial topic of vertical ventilation, this episode dives headfirst into some of the fire service's most debated topics. Some takes spark healthy discussion. Others threaten to melt the comment sect...

🔥 WOULD YOU RATHER: FIREHOUSE EDITION 🔥

This week Matt and Doug bring back one of the podcast’s favorite formats with another hilarious and brutally honest game of “Would You Rather?” — firehouse style 👊

The guys debate everything from lazy firefighters vs know-it-alls, strict policy vs complete chaos, old salty captains vs overly motivated new captains, and whether respect from your crew matters more than admin approval 😂

Along the way they dive into:
🚒 Firehouse culture and leadership
🚒 Freelancing vs accountability on the fireground
🚒 EMS life and ambulance burnout
🚒 Old school experience vs new school motivation
🚒 C...

This week on The Cool Fireman Podcast, the crew sits down with Megan from Finergy Fuel Energy Drink to talk about building a firefighter family business, balancing marriage and kids while chasing big goals, and creating a healthier energy drink option for first responders and people constantly on the go.

Megan shares the real behind-the-scenes struggles of starting a business from scratch while raising two kids under two, supporting a firefighter husband, and trying to grow a brand without losing sight of what matters most.

The crew also dives into:
⚡ The truth about the en...

This week on The Cool Fireman Podcast, the crew sits down with Rescue 1 CBD founder and firefighter/paramedic Jon Vought to have a REAL conversation about firefighter sleep deprivation, inflammation, recovery, and the stigma surrounding C*D in the fire service.

Jon shares how a devastating foot surgery, long-term opioid use, and terrible sleep led him down the path of creating a firefighter-focused CD company specifically designed to help first responders WITHOUT risking failed drug tests. The crew dives deep into:
🔥 The difference between C*D and T*C
🔥 Why firefighters struggle with sleep
🔥 How canna...

In this powerful episode, the crew sits down with Australian former police officer, detective, wellness coach, and first responder advocate Erin Jane for an honest conversation about firefighter mental health, relationships, burnout, trauma, and resilience.

Erin shares her journey from law enforcement in Australia to becoming a first responder wellness coach in the United States after meeting her firefighter husband in Berlin. She opens up about losing her father to suicide, volunteering on crisis hotlines, and why she felt called to create a space where first responders can talk openly without judgment.

The crew dives...

In this episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast, the guys circle back on a topic that sparked a lot of conversation—the “family feel” of the firehouse.

After some feedback from listeners, they take a step back from the negativity and bring it back to what really matters: how the fire service shows up when one of its own is going through something tough.

From injuries and family emergencies to extended time away from work, this episode dives into the real ways firefighters support each other—both on and off the job.

🔥 I...

🚒 FDIC 2026 Special Episode

The guys are coming to you straight from Indianapolis for a special FDIC 2026 episode—recorded live after long days on the convention floor. This one is raw, unfiltered, and exactly what you’d expect when you put the crew together in the same house after a full week at the biggest fire service conference in the country.

🔥 What FDIC Is Really Like

In this episode, they break down what FDIC is really like and why it’s often called the “Super Bowl” of the fire service. From the moment you walk into the co...

We’re back with Part 2 of our True or False series, and this one gets real.

After the buzz from the last episode, the crew dives deeper into some of the most debated topics in the fire service today—safety, work ethic, culture, and the evolving mindset of the next generation.

From two-in/two-out and clean cab concepts… to rookie expectations, aggressive firefighting, and generational differences, this episode challenges the way we think about tradition vs. progress.

This isn’t about being right—it’s about having the conversation.

🔥 In This Episode

T...

📝 Episode Description

In this episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast, the crew dives into a fun but real conversation:

👉 Old School vs New School Fire Service – TRUE or FALSE?

From firehouse culture to leadership, training, and generational differences, the guys break down some of the biggest debates in today’s fire service.

🔥 Topics We Cover:Is the firehouse still a “family”?

Are kitchen table conversations changing?

Are newer firefighters more sensitive—or just different?

Experience vs certifications… which matters more?

Are firefighters toda...

This episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast dives into the unwritten rules that make firehouse culture what it is. Matt, Doug, and Adam break down the firehouse laws nobody writes down but everybody learns fast—from food in the fridge, seats at the kitchen table, and bunk room etiquette to rookie expectations, shift change courtesy, and the sacred rule of not farting at the dinner table.

In This Episode

The guys mix humor with real firehouse truth as they talk about why these traditions matter, how they shape culture, and what every rookie needs to kn...

In this episode, the guys circle back to one of their most popular topics: how to become a firefighter. Matt, Brian, and Unkie talk through what it really takes to get hired, survive the process, and build a successful career in the fire service.

The conversation covers everything from attitude, humility, and work ethic to the value of mentors, accountability, and staying teachable. The crew shares personal stories about the grind of trying to get hired, the sacrifices it took, and the moments they knew this was the career they were meant to pursue.

They...

In this episode, Matt and Doug jump on the mic for a two-man show as they talk through the chaos of spring schedules, sick days, family life, and getting an episode recorded when everyone’s calendars refuse to line up. From a rough morning at the dentist with Matt’s daughter to Doug battling sinus misery, the guys ease into a real and relatable conversation before diving into the main topic: FDIC and why conferences matter in the fire service.

They share their excitement for the upcoming FDIC conference in Indianapolis, where the podcast team will be part...

In this episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast, the crew talks all things collective bargaining, firefighter unions, and what union representation really means for the fire service.

They break down the basics of unions, executive boards, local representation, and why being involved matters. The conversation covers retirement, safety, wages, staffing, equipment, cancer presumption, 24-hour shifts, and contract negotiations — along with a reminder that many of the things firefighters enjoy today were fought for through union work.

The guys also talk about voting for your job, staying active in your local, attending meetings, and understanding what yo...

In this episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast, the crew kicks things off with some big Patreon news: the Engineer Tier officially hit 10 subscribers, which means Phase 1 is live and the first Wheel of Names giveaway is underway. Congrats to Simon Gray, who takes home the first box of firefighter goodies.

The guys also share a heartfelt Moment of Silence honoring firefighters recently lost, including Lt. Robert “Dean” Clary, who passed away from occupational cancer, along with other recent line-of-duty losses. It’s a powerful reminder of the risks firefighters face both on and off th...

The crew debates a firehouse classic: If most of our calls are EMS, should most of our training be EMS? With departments running 80%+ medical calls in many areas, is it time to shift focus—or double down on fire because it’s high-risk and low-frequency?

EMS isn’t going anywhere.
Call volume continues trending heavily medical. Fires are decreasing due to prevention, codes, and education.

Train for high-acuity on both sides.
Even if you run EMS daily, you still need reps on cardiac arrests, strokes, trauma, airway management, and rare presentations. Same logic as tra...

In this episode, the crew sits down with K-Bill from Social FD to talk about the reality of social media in today’s fire service—especially how it impacts volunteer recruitment, retention, and community trust. From “Facebook warriors” and negativity in comment sections, to meeting the next generation where they are (yes… even Twitch), this one hits culture, standards, and how we can do better without tearing each other down publicly.

Why Social FD exists and the problem it’s trying to solve for volunteer departments

How social media can build trust → support → recruitment

The uncomforta...

The crew kicks things off in classic “kitchen table” fashion (yes… with an unfortunate shart confession) before shifting into a respectful, meaningful conversation about Honor Guard in the fire service—why it matters, what professionalism looks like, and how departments can build/strengthen their own teams. Along the way: sponsor shoutouts, a moment of silence for two fallen firefighters, and a trick-question flag trivia that gets Matt good.

In This Episode

Cold Open: The “Literal Sh*t Show

Unkie admits to a wet fart situation (aka: shart), sparking a round of “we’ve...

Summary

In this episode, the guys welcome back Greg Rudiger (Resilient Another Day / The Radcast) for a real, needed conversation about mental health in the fire service—and why we must start talking to recruits and new members early, not just after 15–20 years of calls, stress, and life piling up. The crew covers how peer support, resiliency tools, spirituality, and the “power of the pause” can help firefighters stay in the fight—at work, at home, and into retirement.

Greg returns (first appeared on Episode 75) for Episode 145.

Matt sets the tone: firefighters are killing th...

Special Guest: Scott Jennie | Firefighter Cancer Support Network

In this powerful and timely episode, the crew sits down with retired Captain Scott Jennie, National Training Program Manager and California State Director for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN). This conversation dives deep into the realities of occupational cancer in the fire service, the cultural shifts needed to protect firefighters, and the life-saving resources available when the unthinkable happens.

🔥 Episode Highlights

Scott’s transition from the fire floor to national cancer advocacy

Why firefighter cancer rates continue to rise nationwide

Firef...